Presence
Striking Looks
Nathaniel finally felt ready to make his first Fetish. Still somewhat cautious about the process, the Bone Shadow chose one that was common among his Tribe- the Protective Charm. It had many names, and many variations, and could hold most any kind of spirit; thus, it was a suitable project for his first.
His crafting capabilities were limited, so he stuck to a paw design in a wooden vessel- using tools from the campus and from the garage in his spare time until he was confident. A leather cord was used to complete the necklace. Simple enough… Though, it took a few tries before he was content with his work.
Not Good Work
Next the spirit. Cats were a common enough spirit to find in a city- with a catnip lure and enough searching, he would eventually manage to find one. A scrawny spirit, barely a gaffling. He played the spirit drums and spoke, and Nathaniel made his case.
[color=”FFA500”]<<There are many cats in this city- with me, you would have a chance to rise above them>>[/color] Appease the spirit’s nature. Cats formed packs, and hierarchies, if there were enough. And with potentially hundreds of cat spirits in this city, the chance to grow stronger than any of them? To rise above?
[color=”FFA500”]<<I will feed you essence- not just to fuel your powers, but to help your grow in strength>>[/color] Appease the spirit’s hunger. A thimble of essence was a fair price for the protection it would provide.
[color=”FFA500”]<< If you are ever unhappy with our arrangement, I will release you- I will swear to that. I will not give you away. And I will not leave you behind... And together, we will do great things>>[/color] Appease the spirit’s cautions. It would have a place by Natahniel’s side, until the day it did not wish to. Many cats in this city may well have been abandoned as well- a condition it might understand and wish to avoid.
Once appeased, once given permission, Nathaniel started the process. A slab of stone buried in the Earth made for a suitable surface to create the ritual circle with chalk, then using a sharpened stone to carve Uratha sigils around and within it. The Vessel, more catnip chiminage, and the Cat located within, Nathaniel readied himself to begin the chant.
He had timed everything well. The Crescent Moon hung in the sky. Dalu ensured a balance attuned to the ritual. Chiminage of some value was provided. He had cleared his mind prior to it’s beginning. Their Pack Totem was of a similar nature. And even as young as he was, Nathaniel still outranked the weak gaffling. Before the main ritual took place, he faced West to Luna and howled for assistance, spilling essence to make up for the less-than-ideal park space.
Every precaution that could be taken, given what he had to work with, had been. Every advantage available provided. Now he just prayed that it would all work.
<<Cat, lend me your nimble nature and inner strength to empower this charm. In doing so I will give you shelter, food, and a place among us. Cat, lend your nimble nature and inner strength to empower....>> Repeated over and over and over again as he made his way around the ritual circle, for seven minutes, as the cat's form was slowly drawn into the piece.
By the end of the process... There lie the completed Charm on the ground. It was a major confidence booster for the young crescent, having failed during the Winter Rite, to see everything work out.
He had his first Fetish- held in his hand, it still hummed faintly from the process' completion. Nathaniel Dormur carefully put it around his neck, smiling up at the sliver of Luna in the sky. He cleared up the circle with his foot, quickly making the circle unrecognizable, returned to Hishu, and wandered back home for the night.
"This fetish goes by many names — gris-gris, ward, talisman, luck charm, etc. The form varies, but it is always something that the werewolf can wear, usually on a necklace. Protective charms are common among the Bone Shadows, and fetish-crafters often use such charms as currency with other tribes, since they aren’t complicated to make....A wide variety of spirits can be used to power protective charms. Cat-spirits and wolf-spirits are common choices" (p. 76, Tribes of the Moon)
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